FREEDOM of the PRESS 2016 Contents

The Battle for the Dominant Message April 2016

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS 2016 Contents

Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message 1 Other Major Developments in 2015 5 Countries to Watch 6 Dangerous Topics 7 Regional Trends 8 Sub-Saharan Africa 8 Asia-Pacific 9 Eurasia 11 Americas 12 Middle East and North Africa 16 Europe 17 Notable Gains and Declines 18 Regional Rankings 22 Methodology 27

The Freedom of the Press report is made possible by the generous support of the Jyllands- Posten Foundation, the Hurford Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, the Stichting Democratie en Media, Free Press Unlimited, the Fritt Ord Foundation, the Reed Foundation, Kim G. Davis, Bette Bao Lord, and Ambassador Victor Ashe.

Freedom House is solely responsible for the content of this report.

Research and editorial team on the cover

The following people were instrumental in the writing of this Cover image by KAL. essay: Elen Aghekyan, Bret Nelson, Shannon O’Toole, Arch Puddington, Sarah Repucci, and Tyler Roylance. Freedom of the press 2016

Press Freedom in 2015 The Battle for the Dominant Message by Jennifer Dunham

Global press freedom declined to its lowest point in the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, media freedom 12 years in 2015, as political, criminal, and terrorist in the region was threatened by violence, new surveil- forces sought to co-opt or silence the media in their lance and antiterrorism laws, and verbal attacks or broader struggle for power. interference from politicians and government officials.

The share of the world’s population that enjoys a Free The varied threats to press freedom around the world press stood at just 13 percent, meaning fewer than are making it harder for media workers to do their one in seven people live in countries where coverage jobs, and the public is increasingly deprived of unbi- of political news is robust, the safety of journalists is ased information and in-depth reporting. However, guaranteed, state intrusion in media affairs is mini- journalists and bloggers have shown resilience. Often mal, and the press is not subject to onerous legal or at great risk to their lives, they strive to transmit infor- economic pressures. mation to their communities and the outside world, and circulate views that contradict those promoted by Steep declines worldwide were linked to two factors: governments or extremist groups. heightened partisanship and polarization in a country’s media environment, and the degree of extralegal Loyalty or silence intimidation and physical violence faced by journal- Pressure on journalists to display political loyalty ists. These problems were most acute in the Middle was especially intense in Egypt, where the state- East, where governments and militias increasingly owned outlets and nearly all private media embraced pressured journalists and media outlets to take sides, a progovernment narrative, and few dared to cross creating a “with us or against us” climate and demon- redlines on stories related to the military, security, and izing those who refused to be cowed. At the same the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. President Abdel time, the Islamic State (IS) and other extremist groups Fattah al-Sisi himself frequently convened private continued their violent attacks on the media and dis- meetings with prominent newspaper editors and tele- seminated powerful alternate narratives through their vision presenters to discuss the government’s wishes. own networks, reaching vast audiences without the need to rely on journalists or traditional news outlets. The Libyan media, which experienced a dramatic opening after the fall of Mu’ammar al-Qadhafi, were Even in the much more open media environments of caught between rival governments in Tripoli and Europe, journalists faced unusual levels of pressure Tobruk in 2015, in many cases becoming little more from terrorists and, to an extent, their own govern- than mouthpieces for whichever government or ments. In a year that began with the shocking murder affiliated militia controlled their region. Civil conflict of eight cartoonists and editors at the Paris offices of similarly increased media polarization in Yemen, as

www.freedomhouse.org 1 Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

outlets fell into line with either the exiled government Freedom of the Press or the Houthi rebels, and independent writers and Methodology journalists were marginalized or persecuted. Extremist groups opposed to both sides also took their toll. The Freedom of the Press report assesses the degree of media freedom in 199 countries Syria remained by far the deadliest place in the world and territories, analyzing the events and for journalists in 2015, according to the Committee to developments of each calendar year. Each Protect Journalists (CPJ). At least 14 were killed in the country and territory receives a numerical country, and three Syrian journalists who had sought score from 0 (the most free) to 100 (the least safety abroad were assassinated in Turkey, apparently free), which serves as the basis for a status by IS. In addition to terrorizing journalists, IS has proven designation of Free, Partly Free, or Not Free. adept at bypassing formal news outlets and using social media to spread its propaganda around the world. Scores are assigned in response to 23 methodology questions that seek to capture Struggles for media dominance played out in a number the varied ways in which pressure can be placed of other countries as well. In Turkey, authorities loyal to on the flow of objective information and the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seized critical private ability of platforms to operate freely and without media groups and turned them over to politically fear of repercussions. The methodology covers friendly trustees—a new tactic in the government’s on- the Legal, Political, and Economic environments going assault on press freedom. In October 2015, state in which print, broadcast, and digital media officials took over Koza İpek Holding, the owner of criti- operate. cal outlets including the television channels Kanaltürk and Bugün and the newspapers Bugün and Millet. In The scores reflect not just government actions March 2016, the private media group Feza Journalism, and policies, but also the behavior of the press owner of Zaman, Turkey’s largest newspaper, was also itself in testing boundaries, as well as the seized. Both actions were based on the companies’ influence of private owners, political or criminal association with exiled cleric Fethullah Gülen, a former groups, and other nonstate actors. Erdoğan ally who has been branded a terrorist.

For a more detailed explanation of the The already limited space for investigative journalism methodology and scoring process, see the and online commentary in China shrank further during Methodology section of this booklet on pp. 2015, continuing a trend of ideological tightening un- 27–28 or visit https://freedomhouse.org/report/ der President Xi Jinping. Professional journalists from freedom-press-2016/methodology. established news outlets were detained, imprisoned, and forced to air televised confessions—including Wang Xiaolu of the prominent financial magazine Cai- jing, who was arrested for his coverage of the falling stock market. Censorship of news and internet content related to the financial system and environmental pollution increased as the economy slowed and smog thickened. Xi reinforced his vision of complete loyalty in early 2016, declaring in a high-profile speech that all forms of media should fully identify with the ruling Communist Party’s agenda, even in the realms of entertainment and advertising.

Security and politics The murder of eight cartoonists and editors in the offices of Charlie Hebdo in January 2015 made France second only to Syria for the total number of journalists killed during the year. The attack also underscored the ongoing calculations that journalists must make, even in otherwise free countries, about the possibil-

2 Freedom House

ity of retribution for their work. Such concerns were compounded a month later, when a gunman opened Worst of the worst fire on a free expression event in Copenhagen. Of the 50 countries and territories designated as Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2016, the In the early days after the Charlie Hebdo attack, an following 10 have the worst total scores. outpouring of support for free expression raised hopes Country/territory Total score for lasting solidarity on the issue. Instead, as the year North Korea 97 progressed, media freedoms in some of the world’s Turkmenistan 96 strongest democracies came under pressure from Uzbekistan 95 security-minded governments and populist politicians. Crimea 94 Eritrea 94 In Spain, a public security law adopted in March 2015 Cuba 91 imposed heavy financial penalties on any individu- Belarus 91 als at a protest, including journalists, who decline to Equatorial Guinea 91 identify themselves to authorities, fail to obey orders Iran 90 to disperse, or disseminate unauthorized images of Syria 90 law enforcement personnel. The last point in particular threatens the work of photojournalists and others who seek to inform the public about police abuses. Defend- ing his government’s overall strategy, Spanish interior gave authorities sweeping surveillance powers with minister Jorge Fernández Díaz emphasized the need to little oversight, leaving journalists and their data strike a “balance between freedom and security”—an vulnerable to intrusive monitoring. In November, the approach criticized by many free expression groups. British government published a draft bill, currently under review, that would require telecommunications Other democratic governments used a similar ratio- companies to retain citizens’ browsing histories and nale in codifying their surveillance practices. In the communications data for possible use by the authori- aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attack, the French ties. A law passed in Australia in March 2015 requires government pushed through an intelligence bill that telecommunications firms to store metadata on calls

Biggest Press Freedom Declines in 2015 -3 Ghana -3 Hungary -3 Maldives -3 Saudi Arabia -3 Sierra Leone -3 Swaziland -4 Egypt -4 Macedonia -4 Sudan -4 Tunisia -4 Zimbabwe -5 France -5 Serbia -5 Yemen -6 Burundi -6 The Gambia -6 Turkey -7 Bangladesh -9 Nauru

-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0

www.freedomhouse.org 3 EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION

EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free Partly Not Free Partly Free Not 1,764,954,762 Free 237,605,571 Free Partly 398,867,293 44%Partly Free 408,520,144 131,120,982 82%Not Free 1,764,954,762 237,605,571 40%Partly Free FreeNot 66%Free 21%Free 2,077,522,540 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% 398,867,293 44% 51%Free 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% Free 51% 389,673,172 40%Free 389,673,172 40% Not Free 80,285,100 Not Free Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 80,285,100 50,741,300 Not Free Free 5% 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 188,085,812 Free50,741,3000% Free 5% 0 188,085,812 Free 0% 0 EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUSNot BY FreeCOUNTRY 2 Not Free 5 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% Partly Free 12 Free 14 Partly Free 11 Not Free 2 23% 0% Not Free 5 30% 35% 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 Partly Free 12 Free 14 26% 14% Partly Free 11 23% 0% 30% 35% 26%

Total Total Total Total countriesTotal countriesTotal countriesTotal countriesTotal countries13 countries35 countries40 countries42 13 35 40 42

Free 29 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Free 16 Not Free 14 69% 77% 40% 46% 35% Free 29 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Free 16 Not Free 14 69% 77% 40% 46% 35%

Press FreeDoM in 2015: The Batt le for the Dominant Message

MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION and messaging for two years. Media advocates warn GloBal: statUs By PoPUlation STATUS BY POPULATION that such measures could be used to identify journal- Not Free Partly Not Free ists’ sources and expose government whistle-blowers. 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93%Not Free Not Free 390,723,799 FreePartly 46% 609,211,658 3,361,027,703 In another worrisome development, some European 93% 61.4%Free 46% political leaders focused their att ention on editorial 609,211,658 control over public broadcasters. One of the fi rst moves 61.4% Partly Free Free of the new right-wing government in Poland was to pass 2,984,320,079 13% Partly Free Free legislation on December 31 that allows it to hire and Not Free 41% fi re the management of the state-owned media. The 2,984,320,079 13% 381,495,693 Not Free 41% ruling Law and Justice party’s claims that the media are 38.4% 381,495,693 biased against the interests of ordinary Poles presage further pressure on journalistic independence in what 29,424,084 38.4% had been one of Europe’s most successful new democ- Partly Free 7% Free 0% 29,424,084 Free 0.2% 1,972,230 988,251,358 racies. The party’s actions were reminiscent of those of Partly Free 7% Free 0% Free 0.2% 1,972,230 988,251,358 Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, whose well- established infl uence over state media was evident in SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY GloBal: statUs By CoUntRy their slanted coverage of the refugee crisis during 2015. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY Dogged resilience Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 Despite the relentless eff orts of authoritarian regimes, 21% 0% 6% 54% 33% 31% Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 organized crime groups, and militant factions to restrict 21% 0% 6% 54% 33% 31% the free fl ow of information, many tenacious journalists have refused to bow to corrupt or violent forces.

During a fi ft h year of barbarous violence in Syria, jour- Total Total Total nalists with the anonymous media collective Raqqa Is countries countries countriesTotal Total Total Being Slaughtered Silently continued to clandestinely 50 199 document rights violations by IS, even aft er it released countries19 countries countries 50 199 propaganda videos depicting the executions of cap- 19 tive reporters. Activists with another such collective, Eye on the Homeland, reported from confl ict zones across Syria on abuses committ ed by the Damascus Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 regime, IS, and other armed groups. The courageous 79% 40% 36% members of these media cooperatives off er domestic Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36% and international audiences a credible alternative to the narratives promoted by the warring parties.

A culture of investigative reporting persists in parts of Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, where some journalists still delve into dangerous or politically sensitive issues like corruption and organized crime despite the risk to their lives and livelihoods. Government-issued bans and widespread property destruction decimated independent media in Burundi following the failed coup att empt against President Pierre Nkurunziza, yet journalists pressed on, moving radio outlets to online platforms and disseminating news via text-message services.

In China, where—according to CPJ—more journalists are imprisoned than in any other country, some reporters disregarded government directives meant to control coverage of a deadly industrial accident in

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Gains anD DeClines in PRess FReeDoM 20 Countries with net declines of 3 or more points continue to outnumber those with gains of 3 or more points.

IMPROVED DECLINED 15

5 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Tianjin last summer. More recently, in March 2016, DeCline in GloBal aveRaGe sCoRe the respected Caixin media group dared to publicize the censorship of an article that touched on dissent 45.0 in the Communist Party. The Communist Party of 45.48 Vietnam maintains one of the most restrictive media environments in the world, but it has been unable to 45.5 quash a vibrant array of underground print and online publications, some of which continue to operate even as contributors languish in jail. 46.0

other Major Developments in 2015 In addition to those described above, three major 46.5 phenomena stood out during the year.

47.0 • violence, impunity continue unabated in Mexico: Journalists covering organized crime and corruption in Mexico have faced extreme levels of 47.5 violence for more than 10 years, and the government has proven completely unable, or unwilling, to address the problem. At least four journalists were 48.0 killed in 2015, and three more were killed—most likely in connection to their work—in the fi rst two months of 2016 alone. Many have died in states 48.5 where organized crime is rampant, such as Veracruz and Oaxaca; in Veracruz, at least 12 journalists have 49.0 48.90 been murdered since Governor Javier Duarte de Ochoa took offi ce in 2010, according to CPJ. How- ever, there are signs that the violence is spreading: 49.5 In July 2015, photographer Rubén Espinosa, who 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 had fl ed Veracruz the previous month, was found tortured and murdered in Mexico City, previously considered a safe haven. In another disturbing phenomenon, female journalists who are att acked

www.freedomhouse.org 5 Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

Countries to Watch The following countries are among those that may be moving toward important changes in their press freedom conditions—for better or worse—in the coming year.

Argentina: The election of Mauricio Macri as presi- India: Journalists have faced a wave of threats dent in late 2015 ended the government’s hostility and physical attacks in recent months, particularly toward the conservative press, but it remains un- from right-wing groups, adding to doubts about clear whether he will allow impartial regulation or press freedom under the current Hindu nationalist simply shift the government’s bias from left to right. government.

China: President Xi Jinping has ordered all media Iran: Moderates gained ground in recent parlia- outlets to toe the party line as the effects of mentary elections, but the situation for journalists China’s economic slowdown continue to bite. remains uncertain in the face of harsh censorship However, there have been signs of resistance and increased arrests by security services. among journalists and netizens, setting the stage for confrontation. Poland: Legislation passed at the end of 2015 gave the government greater control over public media, Egypt: As the country’s problems and the gov- presaging a year of heightened tension between ernment’s abuses mounted, some loyalist media the ruling Law and Justice party and the press. figures broke ranks and grew more critical of Presi- dent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in early 2016. The trend Ukraine: The implementation of promising new could lead to a partial revival in pluralism or more media laws presents an opportunity to advance vicious crackdowns. press freedom, even as the conflict in the east continues to pose serious dangers for reporters. Ghana: In advance of late 2016 general elections, President John Dramani Mahama’s government Zimbabwe: Factional conflict within the ruling has stepped up legal and political pressure on the party over who will succeed President Robert press, and attacks on journalists have increased, Mugabe has increasingly affected journalists, lead- raising serious concerns for one of the most open ing to arrests, intimidation, and even a disappear- media environments in sub-Saharan Africa. ance in the past year.

frequently suffer sexual violence as well, and au- extended to their treatment of the media, a number thorities are often reluctant to accept that attacks of reporters were held incommunicado and exposed or threats against female journalists are actually to possible abuse in custody during the year. related to their work.

• A cloud over Hong Kong: The disappearance in late • The press held hostage: Dozens of reporters were 2015 of five Hong Kong residents associated with abducted and held hostage in 2015, with cases emerging in conflict zones as well as countries a local publisher of books that are critical of China’s that were nominally at peace. Terrorist and militant leaders has raised fears that Beijing is reneging groups including IS, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and the on the “one country, two systems” arrangement, various branches of Al-Qaeda were responsible for which has preserved Hong Kong’s vibrant media many abductions, contributing to a lucrative kid- environment since the 1997 handover. The men napping industry that stretched across the Middle eventually reappeared in Chinese custody, and in East and beyond. Several governments also held early 2016 they gave televised interviews that were reporters captive for political reasons. The Iranian widely seen as coerced. The December acquisition authorities appeared to regard detained foreign of Hong Kong’s leading English-language newspa- journalists as a valuable diplomatic bargaining chip, while Chinese officials used forced confessions by per, the South China Morning Post, by Alibaba, a journalists to send a warning to their colleagues. In mainland Chinese company with strong ties to the Egypt, Turkmenistan, and other police states where central government, deepened concerns about the authorities’ disregard for the rule of law has long Beijing’s growing influence over Hong Kong media.

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Dangerous Topics A number of topics pose particular risks for journalists, who can face threats, imprisonment, and even brutal violence for attempting to cover them. The dangers of reporting on national security and terrorism are well documented, but the following topics also stand out.

• Organized crime: From Central America to began carrying out a sentence of 1,000 lashes South Asia, journalists take their lives in their against Raif Badawi, a blogger and activist hands when they investigate organized crime, charged with insulting Islam—an offense that is especially in areas with weak rule of law. In criminalized in many countries. In Bangladesh, a shocking case in Mexico, the body of José several bloggers who wrote on religious issues Moisés Sánchez Cerezo, a journalist known for and criticized fundamentalists were hacked to denouncing organized crime and the failure death in a series of attacks by militants, some of of local authorities to address it, was found whom had ties to local terrorist groups. dismembered and decapitated in Veracruz State in January 2015. • Disputed sovereignty: When questions of autonomy and self-determination are in play, entire • Corruption: Reporting on corruption in busi- parts of the world can become off-limits for ness or government places journalists at risk journalism. After a German newspaper quoted for harassment and violence in virtually every Moroccan journalist Ali Anouzla referring to region of the world. Brazilian radio host Gleyd- Western Sahara as “occupied” in November son Carvalho, known for his commentary about 2015, Moroccan officials charged the journalist corrupt local officials, was shot dead while on air with “undermining national territorial integrity,” in August 2015. Journalists covering high-level an offense for which he can be imprisoned for corruption in some countries, including Angola up to five years. Russian authorities are similarly and Azerbaijan, faced harsh legal repercussions, quick to punish critical coverage of Crimea, including imprisonment on spurious charges. while in China, genuine autonomy for Tibet and the rights of ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang remain • Environment and land development: Inves- forbidden topics. tigating stories related to the environment, particularly when land acquisitions or extractive • Lèse-majesté and beyond: Laws against insult- industries are involved, poses great danger to ing the state or top officials exist in several reporters. In India, two journalists who covered countries, and some leaders do not hesitate illegal mining and land grabs were killed in to use them against critical voices. Turkish June 2015: Sandeep Kothari, whose body was president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Egyptian found burned and heavily bruised after he was president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, for example, abducted by unknown assailants, and Jagendra have lengthy records of pursuing insult charges Singh, who died from burns allegedly inflicted by against journalists, bloggers, and social-media local police. In many other countries, including users. In 2015, Turkish authorities went so far as Cambodia and the Philippines, environmental to prosecute a doctor who, in an image shared journalists are routinely subjected to harass- online, compared the president to the charac- ment and threats in the field. ter Gollum from the film series The Lord of the Rings. In a similarly absurd case in Thailand, a • Religion: Coverage of sensitive religious topics man was arrested on lèse-majesté charges for can lead to retaliation by authorities or extrem- posting a humorous comment about the king’s ist groups. In January 2015, Saudi authorities dog online.

www.freedomhouse.org 7 EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION

Partly Free Partly Not Free 1,764,954,762 237,605,571 Partly Free Not Free Free 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% 398,867,293 Free 44% 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% 51% Free 389,673,172 40% Not Free 80,285,100 Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 50,741,300 Free 5% 188,085,812 Free 0% 0

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION Press FreeDoM in 2015: The Batt le for the Dominant Message Not Free 2 Not Free 5 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% Partly Free Partly Free 12 Partly Free 14 Partly Free 11 Not Free 0% 1,764,954,762 30% 35% 237,605,571 23%Partly Free Not Free Free 26% 398,867,293 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% Regional Free 44% 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% Trends 51% Free Total Total Total Total 389,673,172countries countries countries countries 40% 13 35 40 42 Not Free 80,285,100 Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 50,741,300 Free 5% Free 29 sub-saharan africa Free 16 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 188,085,812 Not Free 14 69% Free 0% 77% 46% 35% 0 Mixed responses to political40% EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY andAMERICAS electoral: STATUS BY COUNTRY tensions ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Not Free 2 JournalistsNot Free in East 5 and Southern Africa suff ered from MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION PartlySUB-SAHARAN Free 12 AFRICA: WORLD: STAT5%US BY POPULATION Partly Free 3 Free 0 a sharp increase14% in political pressure and violence in STATUS BY POPULATION Free 14 Partly Free 11 23% 0% 2015. In the midst of Burundi’s political crisis in May, 30% 35% 26% which stemmed from the president’s pursuit of a Notthird term, Free nearly all independent media outlets were Partly Not Free 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 closed or destroyed. The loss of these outlets, espe- 93% 46% cially radio stations that had been the main source of Free Total Total 609,211,658 Total Total information, resulted in a dearth of reporting on criti- 61.4% countries cal issues. Extensivecountries intimidation and violence against countries countries 13 journalists by the regime35 of President Pierre Nkurun- in critical reporting40 on President Uhuru Kenyatt a and Partly Free42 Free ziza and his supporters drove many into exile. his cronies. Tanzania passed two highly restrictive 2,984,320,079 13% laws—theNot FreeStatistics Act and the Cybercrimes Act—in 41% Elsewhere in East Africa, the run-up to early 2016 2015,381,495,693 and its newly elected president has given litt le elections in Uganda featured an increase in harass- indication38.4% that he will revise or repeal them. Finally, Free 29 Free 16 Not Free 10 Partlyment Freeof journalists 14 att empting to cover opposition despite the release of 10 imprisonedNot Free journalists 14 in 69% 77% 29,424,084politicians.40% In Kenya, greater government46% pressure in 2015, Ethiopia continued to repress35% all independent thePartly form Free of repressive7% laws, intimidation,Free 0% and threats reporting, and remainedFree the0.2% second-worst1,972,230 jailer of 988,251,358 to withdraw state advertising resulted in a reduction journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, aft er Eritrea.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLEsUB-sahaRan EAST: STAT aFRiCa:US BY COUNTRY statUs By PoPUlation sUB-sahaRanSTATUS BY COUNTRY aFRiCa: statUs By CoUntRy MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 Not Free 21% Partly 0% Not6% Free 54% 33% 31% 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% 609,211,658 61.4% Total Total Total Partlycountries Free Free countries countries 2,984,320,079 13% Not Free19 41% 50 199 381,495,693 38.4%

29,424,084 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 Partly Free 7% Free 0% NotFree Free0.2% 151,972,230 988,251,358 79% 40% 36%

8 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY

Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 21% 0% 6% 54% 33% 31%

Total Total Total countries countries countries 19 50 199

Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36% Freedom House

In Zimbabwe, journalists and media outlets were more than 20 years; and continued electricity outages drawn into succession-related infi ghting among lead- that impaired media production and distribution. ers of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union–Pa- triotic Front (ZANU-PF). Members of the media faced However, other countries in West Africa showed increased threats and att acks—including the abduc- encouraging improvements. Burkina Faso, which tion and disappearance of prominent local journalist endured a coup att empt and an uncertain election Itai Dzamara—as well as continued arrests for libel in 2015, decriminalized libel and made progress on a that contradicted a constitutional court ruling on the long-stalled investigation into the murder of journal- issue. Meanwhile, an economic crisis in the country ist Norbert Zongo. And Côte d’Ivoire benefi ted from contributed to the closure of two media houses. continued openings in its private broadcasting market, as well as a reduction in att acks and harassment Ghana, previously the only Free country on the conti- against the press, which came despite the potential nent’s mainland, suff ered a status decline to Partly Free for election-related tensions. Togo also showed some as a result of several factors. Journalists encountered gains in an election year, especially regarding opposi- more att empts to limit coverage of news events and tion candidates’ access to state media and journalists’ confi scations of equipment; increased violence by the ability to cover the campaigns safely. However, those police, the military, political party members, and ordi- gains were tempered by the reintroduction of prison EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION nary citizens,AMERICAS including: STAT theUS BfiY rst PO PmurderULATI OofN a journalist in termsASIA-PACIFIC for publishing: SfalseTATUS news. BY P OPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION

Partly Free Partly Not Free 1,764,954,762 237,605,571 Partly Free Not Free Free asia-Paciﬁ c 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% 398,867,293 Free 44% 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% states and vigilantes muzzle controversial51% speech Free Journalists389,673,172 and commentators across much of South writers, aft er being threatened or injured in similar and Southeast40% Asia faced threats and deadly violence att acks, felt compelled to go silent, relocate, or fl ee for raising controversial topics during 2015. Making the country. Meanwhile, the authorities temporarily Not Free matt ers worse, the region’s governments tended to blocked social media on security grounds, allegedly 80,285,100 ban andNot prosecute Free discussion of such issues rather forced the suspension of a popular political talk show, 13% Partly Free 18% than protecting193,395,000 those20% who dared to address them. and threatened dozens of people with contempt 50,741,300 of court charges for signing aFree lett er5% in support of a 188,085,812 Free 0% Extremists in Bangladesh murdered at least four blog- British journalist who had been convicted on similar 0 gers and a publisher who had produced content that charges in late 2014. The government also reportedly was critical of religious fundamentalism. Many other pressured private companies to withdraw advertising EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION asia-PaCiFiC: statUs By PoPUlation asia-PaCiFiC:EUROPE: S TstatUsATUS B YBy P OCoUntRyPULATION Not Free 2 Not Free 5 Partly Free 12 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% Partly Free Partly Free 14 Partly Free 11 Not Free 23% 0% 1,764,954,762 30% 35% 237,605,571 Partly Free Not Free Free 26% 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% 398,867,293 Free 44% 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% 51% Free Total Total Total Total 389,673,172countries countries countries countries 40% 13 35 40 42 Not Free 80,285,100 Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 50,741,300 Free 5% Free 29 Free 16 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 188,085,812 Not Free 14 69% Free 0% 77% 40% 46% 35% 0

www.freedomhouse.org 9 EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Not Free 2 Not Free 5 MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: ST5%ATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% Partly FreeSTAT US12 BY POPULATION Free 14 Partly Free 11 23% 0% 30% 35% 26% Not Free Partly Not Free 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% Total Total 609,211,658Total Total countries countries 61.4%countries countries 13 35 40 Partly Free42 Free 2,984,320,079 13% Not Free 41% 381,495,693 38.4% Free 29 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Free 16 Not Free 14 69% 77% 29,424,08440% 46% 35% Partly Free 7% Free 0% Free 0.2% 1,972,230 988,251,358

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 Not Free 21%Partly 0% Not6% Free 54% 33% 31% 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% 609,211,658 61.4% Total Total Total countries Partly Freecountries Free countries 2,984,320,079 50 13% 199 Not Free19 41% 381,495,693 38.4%

29,424,084 Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 Partly Free 7% Free 0% Free 0.2% 1,972,230 988,251,358 79% 40% 36%

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY

Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 21% 0% 6% 54% 33% 31%

Total Total Total countries countries countries 19 50 199

Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36% Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

from two critical newspapers; in early 2016 the papers’ China and a controversial tree-removal plan in Hanoi. editors faced multiple charges of sedition, defamation, and “hurting religious sentiment.” The government of Malaysia—on the defensive over a massive corruption scandal—made extensive use In India, among other killings, one journalist was of sedition charges to tamp down dissent, in one case burned to death by police after he accused an Uttar prosecuting a political cartoonist for a series of tweets. Pradesh government minister of corruption. Sepa- In all, at least 91 people were charged, arrested, or in- rately, Indian officials banned a documentary film on vestigated under the sedition law during 2015, accord- the contentious problem of violence against women ing to Amnesty International. In Maldives, the govern- in the country, and temporarily suspended broadcasts ment repeatedly invoked national security in attempts of Al-Jazeera English because the station showed a to intimidate critical news outlets, and deported the map that did not match the government’s position on crew of a German broadcaster that was investigating Kashmir. the country’s volatile political and security situation.

The Vietnamese authorities released a number of jailed Unlike its neighbors, Sri Lanka experienced a marked bloggers and journalists in 2015, before and after the improvement in press freedom conditions after a new Communist Party leader’s visit to Washington in July. government took power in early 2015. Journalists faced However, detentions of others continued during the fewer threats and attacks than in previous years, inves- year, as did physical assaults. Prominent bloggers were tigations into past violence made progress, a number of brutally beaten by thugs or plainclothes police after websites were unblocked, and officials moved toward writing on issues including territorial disputes with the adoption of a right to information bill.

10 Freedom House

eurasia EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION systemic control and prison terms for journalists Partly Free Partly Not Free 1,764,954,762 237,605,571 Partly Free Not Free Free 408,520,144 131,120,982 Having already destroyed most platforms for dissent, reoriented82% the focus of its misinformation machine 398,867,293 44% Free 66% 21% several repressive regimes in Eurasia adopted a two- from Ukraine to President Vladimir Putin’s newest 40% 2,077,522,540 pronged approach toward the media in 2015: deepen- foreign exploit, the military intervention in Syria. The 51% ing systemic controls on the fl ow of information while promotion of government policies and messages Free making an example of the few independent journalists became especially important amid growing economic 389,673,172 who continued to operate. hardship in Russia, and Kremlin-friendly media at- 40% tempted to direct public discontent toward the United Not Free Russia, an innovator of modern state propaganda, ex- States and Europe, accusing them of exacerbating 80,285,100 panded eff orts to tightly control the news for domes- Russia’s economic troubles and the security situation 13% 18% Not Free tic audiences and manipulate the information land- in Syria.Partly At the sameFree time, authorities continued to 193,395,000 20% 50,741,300 Free 5% scapes of several geopolitically signifi cant neighbors, exert pressure on the small space left for free expres- 188,085,812 including Ukraine, Moldova, and the Baltic and Central sion, particularlyFree 0% targeting bloggers and journalists Asian states. Domestically, the Russian government for their0 online publications. The regional Siberian

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY eURasia:EURA statUsSIA: STA ByTUS PoPUlation BY POPULATION eURasia:AMERICAS statUs: By ST ACoUntRyTUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION Not Free 2 Not Free 5 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% Partly Free Partly Free 12 Partly Free 14 Partly Free 11 Not Free 0% 1,764,954,762 30% 237,605,571 Partly23% Free Not Free Free 35% 26% 398,867,293 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% Free 44% 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% 51% Free Total Total Total Total 389,673,172 countries countries countries countries 40% 13 35 40 42 Not Free 80,285,100 Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 50,741,300 Free 5% Free 29 Free 16 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 188,085,812 Not Free 14 69% Free 0% 46% 0 77% 40% 35%

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY www.freedomhouse.org 11 EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Not Free 2 Not Free 5 MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION Partly FreeSUB-SAHARAN 12 AFRICA: WORLD: S5%TATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% STATUS BY POPULATION Free 14 Partly Free 11 23% 0% 30% 35% 26% Not Free Partly Not Free 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% Total Total 609,211,658Total Total countries countries 61.4%countries countries 13 35 40 Partly Free42 Free 2,984,320,079 13% Not Free 41% 381,495,693 38.4% Free 29 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Free 16 Not Free 14 69% 77% 29,424,08440% 46% 35% Partly Free 7% Free 0% Free 0.2% 1,972,230 988,251,358

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 Not Free 21%Partly 0% Not6% Free 54% 33% 31% 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% 609,211,658 61.4% Total Total Total Partly Freecountries Free countries countries 2,984,320,079 13% Not Free19 41% 50 199 381,495,693 38.4%

29,424,084 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 Partly Free 7% Free 0% FreeNot0.2% Free1,972,230 15 988,251,358 79% 40% 36%

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY

Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 21% 0% 6% 54% 33% 31%

Total Total Total countries countries countries 19 50 199

Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36% Press FreeDoM in 2015: The Batt le for the Dominant Message

broadcaster TV-2, having previously escaped the activist, died in August aft er being brutally beaten by Kremlin’s cooptation of the television sector, closed in unidentifi ed assailants. The authorities released sev- February 2015 aft er the expiration of its license, which eral journalists and bloggers along with other political was transferred to a state broadcaster. prisoners in March 2016, but prominent journalist Khadij a Ismayilova remains behind bars, and the gov- Authorities in Azerbaij an not only tightened legisla- ernment’s hostile policies toward critical media show tive restrictions on media in 2015, but also targeted no signs of genuine change. individual journalists for legal and extralegal persecu- tion. The staff of the online station Meydan TV faced The government of Tajikistan took steps to make the administrative and physical harassment by offi cials state press agency the primary conduit for offi cial throughout the year, as did members of their families. information. And in a case that stretched the limits of Spurious criminal cases against several reporters absurdity, Tajik authorities sentenced Amindzhon Gul- culminated in alarmingly lengthy prison terms, while murodzoda to two years in prison for forgery, claiming other journalists were victims of violent att acks. Rasim that the journalist had falsifi ed his birth records in Aliyev, an independent reporter and human rights 1989—when he was fi ve or six years old.

americas Physical threats and political pressure

Press freedom in Mexico remained under extreme pressure due to violent att acks on journalists by criminal gangs and a patt ern of impunity for the perpetrators. Federal agencies tasked with protecting threatened journalists and investigating crimes against the media failed to function eff ectively, partly due to a lack of resources. Freedom of expression advocates also expressed concern about new regulations that authorized expansive government surveillance powers under a 2014 telecommunications law.

Mexico was not the only country in the region suff er- ing from serious violence against journalists. Threats from organized crime, corrupt offi cials, and abusive security forces were a problem in much of Central America, and at least six journalists were murdered in Brazil, where those working in rural sections of the country are particularly vulnerable. Brazil is regarded today as one of the most dangerous democracies for journalists to work in.

In other Latin American countries, the main source of pressure on media independence was the govern-

12 Freedom House

ment. Enforcement of Ecuador’s 2013 Communica- change aft er right-leaning candidate Mauricio Macri tion Law, which enabled more intrusive media regula- replaced incumbent president Cristina Fernández de tion, continued to threaten freedom of expression Kirchner in December. However, Macri immediately and added to a hostile environment characterized moved to undercut Kirchner’s 2009 Media Law, issu- by self-censorship, intimidation, and legal sanctions. ing a decree that transferred oversight powers of the EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION The media regulator issued scores of fi nes and other two regulatory agencies created under that law to his administrative sanctions against various outlets, newly formed National Agency of Telecommunica- sometimes interfering directly in the details of their tions. This step prompted some observers to question Partly Free Partly Not Free 1,764,954,762 reporting237,605,571 on public offi cials. the newPartly administration’s Free commitment to ensuring Not Free Free 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% impartial398,867,293 regulatory enforcement. 44% Free 66% 21% Journalists in Nicaragua were subjected to rough 40% 2,077,522,540 treatment by police and others while covering In the United States, the media played a complicated 51% demonstrations, and encountered obstruction when role inFree an unusually crass, divisive, and intense cam- att empting to gain information on a new interoceanic paign 389,673,172for the 2016 presidential election. The leading canal project. The television sector remains dominat- Republican40% candidate, Donald Trump, made criticism ed by a duopoly that tends to favor the government, of individual journalists and outlets a major focus of Not Free and critics have argued that regulatory decisions are his appeal, and used outrageous social-media com- 80,285,100 politically motivated or arbitrary, as with the abrupt ments to att ract and divert traditional media coverage. 13% 18% Not Free 2015Partly closure Free of radio station Voz de Mujer. At times193,395,000 he has even20% taunted the media industry with 50,741,300 Free 5% economic incentives, citing the eff ects of his ap- 188,085,812 In Argentina,Free 0% long-standing antagonism between the pearances—or refusals to appear—on broadcasters’ government0 and the conservative press looked set to viewership and revenue.

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION aMeRiCas:AMERICAS statUs: ST AByTUS PoPUlation BY POPULATION aMeRiCas:ASIA-PACIFIC statUs: SByTA CoUntRyTUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION Not Free 2 Not Free 5 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% Partly Free Partly Free 12 Partly Free 14 Partly Free 11 Not Free 1,764,954,762 237,605,571 23%Partly Free 0% Not Free30% Free35% 26% 398,867,293 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% Free 44% 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% 51% Free Total Total Total Total 389,673,172 40% countries countries countries countries 13 35 40 42 Not Free 80,285,100 Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 50,741,300 Free 5% Free 29 188,085,812 Free 16 Free 0% Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Not Free 14 69% 0 77% 40% 46% 35%

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Not Free 2 Not Free 5 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION PartlySUB-SAHARAN Free 12 AFRICA: Free 14 WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION 14% STATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free 11 23% 0% 30% 35% 26% Not Free Partly Not Free 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% Total Total 609,211,658Total Total countries countries 61.4%countries countries 13 35 40 42 Partly Free Free www.freedomhouse.org 13 2,984,320,079 13% Not Free 41% 381,495,693 38.4% Free 29 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Free 16 Not Free 14 69% 77% 29,424,08440% 46% 35% Partly Free 7% Free 0% Free 0.2% 1,972,230 988,251,358

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION MIDDLESUB-SAHARAN EAST: STATUS BAFRICAY COUNTRY: STATWORLDUS BY COUNTRY: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 Not Free 21% Partly 0% Not6% Free 54% 33% 31% 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% 609,211,658 61.4% Total Total Total Partly Free Free countries 2,984,320,079countries 13% countries Not Free19 41% 50 199 381,495,693 38.4%

29,424,084 Partly Free 7% Free 0% FreeNot 0.2%Free 1,972,23015 Not Free 20 988,251,358 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36%

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY

Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 21% 0% 6% 54% 33% 31%

Total Total Total countries countries countries 19 50 199

Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36% Freedom of the press 2016

Free Partly Free Not Free freedomhouse.org EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION Press FreeDoM in 2015: The Batt le for the Dominant Message Not Free 2 Not Free 5 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% Partly Free Partly Free 12 Partly Free 14 Partly Free 11 Not Free 1,764,954,762 30% 237,605,571 Partly23% Free 0% Not Free Free 35% 26% 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% 398,867,293 Free 44% 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% 51% Free Total Total Total Total 389,673,172 40% countries countries countries countries 13 35 40 42 Not Free 80,285,100 Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 50,741,300 Free 5% Free 29 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 188,085,812 Free 16 Not Free 14 MiddleFree east0% and north africa 69% 0 77% 40% 46% 35% securityEURASIA: STA TconcernsUS BY COUNTRY fuel censorship,AMERICAS self-censorship: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Even in Middle Eastern countries without armed sion while att empting to report on the aft ermath of Not Free 2 confl icts, concerns about terrorist att acks or military terrorist violence,Not Free and 5 some outlets displayed a closer Free 0 MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION Partly FreeSUB-SAHARAN 12 AFRICA: WORLD:5% STATUS BY POPULATION operationsPartly Freeabroad 3 motivated crackdowns on critical alignment with14% the government on security issues. STATUS BY POPULATION Free 14 Partly Free 11 23% 0% 30% 35% reporting and commentary as well as self-censorship 26% on the part of journalists and social-media users. The Iranian government att empted to shape domestic media coverageNot of theFree international agreement on Partly Not Free 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 In Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, for ex- its nuclear program. The Supreme National Security 93% Free 46% ample, the authorities restrictedTotal critical or independent Council instructed mediaTotal outlets to praise Iran’s team 609,211,658Total Total coverage of the warcountries in Yemen, in part by controlling of negotiators and tocountries avoid any talk of “a rift ” between 61.4%countries countries access to the border area. Observers also noted a ten- top offi cials. The directive targeted hard-liners who 13 35 40 42 Free dency among media outlets and online commentators have been highly critical of the negotiations—a shift Partly Free to avoid criticism of the Saudi-led military campaign. from the pressure typically exerted on journalists who 2,984,320,079 13% support President Hassan Rouhani’s reformist policies. Not Free 41% In Tunisia, which suff ered multiple terrorist att acks However, hard-line elements continued to show their 381,495,693 during 2015, a journalist faced terrorism charges for strength in other ways. The intelligence division of the 38.4% Free 29 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Free 16 Not Free 14 refusing to disclose the source of a photograph relat- Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps arrested several 69% 77% 29,424,084 46% ed to one att ack, and a blogger was jailed for defaming journalists40% late in the year for alleged involvement in an 35% Partly Free 7% Free 0% the military. Journalists faced greater police aggres- “infi ltration network” serving hostile foreign countries. Free 0.2% 1,972,230 988,251,358

MiDDle east anD noRth aFRiCa: MiDDle east anD noRth aFRiCa: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY statUsMIDDLE By PoPUlation EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION statUs By CoUntRySUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 Not Free 21%Partly 0% Not6% Free 54% 33% 31% 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% 609,211,658 61.4% Total Total Total Partly Freecountries Free countries countries 2,984,320,079 13% Not Free19 41% 50 199 381,495,693 38.4%

29,424,084 Not Free 20 Partly Free 7% Free 0% FreeNot0.2% Free1,972,230 15 988,251,358 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36%

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: 16 WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY

Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 21% 0% 6% 54% 33% 31%

Total Total Total countries countries countries 19 50 199

Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36% Freedom House

EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION

Partly Free Partly Not Free 1,764,954,762 237,605,571 Partly Free Not Free Free europe 408,520,144 131,120,982 82% 398,867,293 Free 44% 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% Police51% interference, violence amid refugee crisis Free 389,673,172 Violence and the refugee crisis dominated the news in and Herzegovina also raised concerns, with numerous 40% Europe in 2015, but they also aff ected how news could violations committ ed against reporters who were in- be covered. While not as dramatic as the Charlie Hebdo vestigating government corruption. Serious questions Not Free murders, att acks against journalists by various perpe- remain about whether these countries’ governments 80,285,100 trators in the Western Balkans contributed to an overall are genuine in their stated commitments to European Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% decline in media freedom there. In Serbia, multiple norms for media freedom and independence. 50,741,300 journalists suff ered physical assaults,Free 5% contributing to 188,085,812 Free 0% heightened self-censorship across the media sector. In Turkey, the government took advantage of real and 0 Att acks and death threats in Macedonia and Bosnia perceived security threats to intensify its crackdown

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION eURoPe:EUROPE statUs: STA ByTUS PoPUlation BY POPULATION eURoPe: statUs By CoUntRy Not Free 2 Not Free 5 Partly Free Partly 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 14% Partly Free 12 Free 14 Not Free Partly Free Not 1,764,954,762 Free Partly Free 11 237,605,571 23% 0% Free30% 35% 398,867,293 44% 408,520,144 131,120,982 26% 82% Free 40% 2,077,522,540 66% 21% 51% Free 389,673,172 Total Total Total Total 40% countries countries countries countries 13 35 40 Not Free 42 80,285,100 Not Free 13% Partly Free 18% 193,395,000 20% 50,741,300 Free 5% 188,085,812 Free 29 Free 0% Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Free 16 Not Free 14 69% 0 77% 40% 46% 35% www.freedomhouse.org 17 EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Not Free 2 Not Free 5 Partly Free 12 5% Partly Free 3 Free 0 MIDDLE EAST14%: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: Free 14 Partly Free 11WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION 23% 0% 30%STATUS BY POPULATION 35% 26%

Not Free Partly Not Free 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 Total 93% Total FreeTotal 46% Total 609,211,658 countries countries 61.4%countries countries 13 35 40 42 Partly Free Free 2,984,320,079 13% Not Free 41% 381,495,693 Free 29 Not Free 10 Partly Free 14 Free 16 38.4% Not Free 14 69% 77% 46% 35% 29,424,08440% Partly Free 7% Free 0% Free 0.2% 1,972,230 988,251,358

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLESUB-SAHARAN EAST: STATUS AFRICA BY COUNTRY: STAWORLDTUS BY :COUNTRY STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION

Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 Not Free 21%Partly 0% Not6% Free 54% 33% 31% 390,723,799 3,361,027,703 93% Free 46% 609,211,658 61.4% Total Partly FreeTotal Free Total countries 2,984,320,079countries 13% countries Not Free 41% 50 199 381,495,69319 38.4%

29,424,084 Partly Free 7% Free 0% FreeNot0.2% Free1,972,230 15 Not Free 20 988,251,358 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36%

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY

Partly Free 4 Free 0 Free 3 Partly Free 27 Not Free 66 Free 62 21% 0% 6% 54% 33% 31%

Total Total Total countries countries countries 19 50 199

Not Free 15 Not Free 20 Partly Free 71 79% 40% 36% Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

on the media. Authorities continued to use terrorism- unease at allowing unhampered coverage of the situ- related laws to arrest critical journalists, censor online ation. A series of attacks in Germany were attributed outlets, and deport foreign correspondents—usually to far-right groups, which have been gaining strength in connection with the Kurdish insurgency, the con- in opposition to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s relatively flict in Syria, or the Gülen movement. welcoming policies toward refugees. The nearly 30 attacks against journalists in Germany in 2015 ranged The massive influx of migrants to Europe indirectly from death threats to physical violence at right-wing resulted in a variety of limitations on journalistic free- demonstrations. dom. The most prominent case was in Hungary, where police attacked at least seven foreign journalists who Over the past 10 years, Europe as a whole has suf- were attempting to report on violent clashes between fered the largest drop in press freedom of any region riot officers and migrants arriving at the country’s in the Freedom of the Press report. This has been southern border. However, the authorities took other driven in part by weakened European economies and steps to limit journalists’ access to sites related to shrinking advertising revenues, which have led to migrants and refugees, and the public media support- layoffs, closure of outlets, and further concentration of ed the government’s hostile stance toward them. In media ownership. Other contributing factors include Austria, journalists reporting on the challenges posed new laws restricting media activity, and increases by the migrants’ presence faced obstacles in sev- in violence against and intimidation of journalists in eral separate instances, revealing the government’s retaliation for their reporting.

Notable gains and declines in 2015

The following reflect developments of major signifi- • Bangladesh declined due to the murders of four cance or concern in 2015. bloggers and a publisher by Islamist militants, threats and nonfatal attacks against other writers, Gains: continued legal harassment of media outlets and • Burkina Faso improved due to the removal of press freedom advocates, government-sanctioned prison sentences as punishment for libel, renewed economic pressure on certain outlets, and at- attempts to end impunity for past crimes against tempts to censor social media. journalists, and a decrease in state interference in news content. • Burundi declined due to the closure and destruction of independent media outlets and extensive • Sri Lanka improved due to a change in government harassment and violence against journalists, which that led to fewer physical threats against journal- drove many into exile. ists, the easing of political pressure on private media, and the unblocking of previously censored • Ecuador declined due to a marked increase in offi- websites. cial censorship and further concentration of media ownership. Declines: • Azerbaijan declined due to the brutal and so far • Egypt declined due to more uniform progovern- unsolved murder of a prominent journalist, as well ment bias in the media, increased physical abuse of as increased restrictions on foreign journalists sur- journalists, and recurrent destruction of newspaper rounding the European Games in June. pressruns when officials objected to content.

18 Freedom House

Biggest Gains and Declines, 2011–2015 Free PARTLY FREE NOT FREE

-25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 Free CÔte d’Ivoire 19 Partly Free Malawi 15 Not Free Afghanistan 12 Myanmar 12 Fiji 10 Togo 9 Sri Lanka 8

-8 Burundi -8 Ecuador -8 Macedonia -9 Azerbaijan -9 Bangladesh -9 Central African Republic -10 Serbia -13 Mali -13 Nauru -15 Libya -16 Turkey -17 Thailand -18 Greece -20 Egypt

-25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25

Historical Trends in Press Freedom Percentages of countries in the three press freedom categories Free PARTLY FREE NOT FREE 55%

38% 36% 32% 34% 34% 34% 33% 31% 25% 28% 20%

1985 1995 2005 2015

www.freedomhouse.org 19 Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

• France declined due to the January 2015 terrorist • Serbia declined due to the Vučić government’s attack on Charlie Hebdo, legislation that empowers hostile rhetoric toward investigative journalists, authorities to conduct mass surveillance with little reported censorship of journalists and media oversight, and the growing threat of self-censorship outlets, and a decrease in the availability of critical, linked to security concerns. independent reporting.

• Ghana declined due to stepped-up attempts to • Tunisia declined due to an increase in prosecutions limit coverage of news events and confiscation of journalists and bloggers, repeated assaults by of equipment; increases in violence directed at security forces on media personnel in the after- journalists by the police, the military, political party math of terrorist attacks, and increased govern- members, and ordinary citizens, including the first ment pressure on the national broadcaster and the murder of a journalist in more than 20 years; and independent media regulatory body. continued electricity outages that impaired media production and distribution. • Turkey declined due to the imprisonment of media personnel on fabricated charges related to national • Israel declined due to the growing impact of Yisrael security, throttling of internet service after major Hayom, whose owner-subsidized business model news events, severe restrictions on foreign jour- endangered the stability of other media outlets, and nalists including imprisonment and deportation, the unchecked expansion of paid content—some recurrent violence against media personnel and of it government funded—whose nature was not production facilities, and abrupt changes in media clearly identified to the public. regulations. • Macedonia declined due to revelations indicating large-scale and illegal government wiretapping of • Uganda declined due to increased government journalists, corrupt ties between officials and media pressure on media outlets regarding coverage of owners, and an increase in threats and attacks on political events, along with a growth in bribery in media workers. exchange for favorable election-related reporting.

• Mexico declined due to poor implementation of a law • Yemen declined due to the country’s descent into designed to protect journalists and continued impu- civil war, which led to disregard for press freedom nity for the perpetrators of crimes against the press. protections, an increasingly polarized and fragment- ed media environment, and a general climate of fear • Nicaragua declined due to pervasive and increasingly amid killings and imprisonment of journalists. systematic harassment of journalists as well as the effects of a television duopoly on diversity of content. • Zimbabwe declined due to increased threats and attacks on media personnel, including the disap- • Saudi Arabia declined due to a growing trend toward pearance of a prominent local journalist; continued self-censorship regarding the conflict in Yemen and arrests of journalists for libel in defiance of a con- restricted media access to the southern provinces stitutional court ruling; and an economic crisis that where military operations were under way. led two media houses to shut down.

20 Freedom House

Press Freedom vs. Internet Penetration vs. GDP Per Capita

100 United Gross Domestic Kingdom United Product per capita States

Free Partly Free Japan Not Free Canada South Korea

Largest Smallest 80 Germany France Spain

Russia

Malaysia Argentina Saudi Arabia Poland Italy

60 Brazil Morocco Venezuela Colombia Turkey

China South Africa

Vietnam Mexico Uzbekistan Ukraine Nigeria

Internet Penetration Rate, 2014 (ITU data) Rate, Penetration Internet Kenya 40 Philippines Peru Iran Thailand

Egypt

Sudan Angola Yemen Ghana Algeria India 20 Uganda Indonesia

Pakistan Nepal Iraq Bangladesh

Dem. Rep. of Congo Afghanistan Myanmar Mozambique Ethiopia Tanzania 0 100 80 60 40 20 0 Freedom of the Press 2016 Score (100=Least Free, 0=Most Free) www.freedomhouse.org 21 Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

Regional Rankings

Of the 199 countries and territories assessed for 2015, a total of 62 (31 percent) were rated Free, 71 (36 percent) were rated Partly Free, and 66 (33 percent) were rated Not Free. This balance marks a slight shift toward the Not Free category compared with the edition covering 2014, which featured 63 Free, 71 Partly Free, and 65 Not Free countries and territories. There were six status changes in Freedom of the Press 2016: Chile improved from Partly Free to Free, and Togo improved from Not Free to Partly Free. Ghana and Israel declined from Free to Partly Free, and Bangladesh and Macedonia declined from Partly Free to Not Free.

Americas l – Free l – Partly Free l – Not Free Status Global Freedom of the Freedom in the Freedom on Country Rank Score Rank Press 2016 World 2016 the Net 2015 St. Lucia 1 15 11 l l Costa Rica 2 17 17 l l St. Vincent and Grenadines 17 17 l l Barbados 4 18 21 l l Canada 18 21 l l l Jamaica 18 21 l l St. Kitts and Nevis 7 20 25 l l United States of America 8 21 28 l l l Bahamas 9 22 31 l l Belize 22 31 l l Grenada 11 24 38 l l Uruguay 12 25 41 l l Dominica 13 26 44 l l Trinidad and Tobago 14 27 47 l l Suriname 15 28 51 l l Chile 16 29 57 l D l Antigua and Barbuda 17 35 68 l l Guyana 18 36 70 l l El Salvador 19 39 76 l l Dominican Republic 20 42 84 l l Brazil 21 46 90 l l l Panama 46 90 l l Peru 46 90 l l Bolivia 24 49 96 l l Argentina 25 50 104 l l l Haiti 26 52 110 l l Nicaragua 27 54 115 l l Colombia 28 56 119 l l l Guatemala 29 58 123 l l Paraguay 58 123 l l Mexico 31 64 140 l l l Ecuador 32 66 145 l l l Honduras 33 67 149 l l Venezuela 34 80 173 l l l Cuba 35 91 192 l l l

DF – indicate improvements or declines in press freedom status *Denotes territories NOTE: The ratings reflect global developments from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015.

22 Freedom House

In 2015, 13 percent of the world’s inhabitants lived in countries with a Free press, while 41 percent had a Partly Free press and 46 percent lived in Not Free environments. The population figures are significantly affected by two countries—China, with a Not Free status, and India, with a Partly Free status—that together account for over a third of the world’s more than seven billion people. The percentage of those enjoying a Free media in 2015 remained at its lowest level since 1996, when Freedom House began incorporating population data into the findings of the report.

Asia-Pacific l – Free l – Partly Free l – Not Free Status Global Freedom of the Freedom in the Freedom on Country Rank Score Rank Press 2016 World 2016 the Net 2015 Palau 1 15 11 l l Marshall Islands 2 17 17 l l New Zealand 3 20 25 l l Micronesia 4 21 28 l l Australia 5 23 33 l l l Vanuatu 6 25 41 l l Japan 7 26 44 l l l Taiwan 26 44 l l Solomon Islands 9 27 47 l l Tuvalu 27 47 l l Papua New Guinea 11 29 57 l l Samoa 29 57 l l Tonga 29 57 l l Kiribati 14 30 62 l l South Korea 15 33 66 l l l East Timor 16 35 68 l l Mongolia 17 37 72 l l Hong Kong* 18 39 76 l l India 19 41 80 l l l Nauru 41 80 l l Philippines 21 44 86 l l l Fiji 22 48 94 l l Indonesia 23 49 96 l l l Nepal 24 54 115 l l Bhutan 25 58 123 l l Maldives 58 123 l l Bangladesh 27 61 134 l F l l Afghanistan 28 62 136 l l Pakistan 29 64 140 l l l Sri Lanka 64 140 l l l Malaysia 31 67 149 l l l Singapore 67 149 l l l Cambodia 33 69 154 l l l Myanmar 34 73 161 l l l Brunei 35 76 166 l l Thailand 36 77 167 l l l Laos 37 84 181 l l Vietnam 38 85 183 l l l China 39 87 186 l l l North Korea 40 97 199 l l www.freedomhouse.org 23 Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

Eurasia l – Free l – Partly Free l – Not Free Status Global Freedom of the Freedom in the Freedom on Country Rank Score Rank Press 2016 World 2016 the Net 2015 Georgia 1 49 96 l l l Ukraine 2 53 112 l l l Moldova 3 56 119 l l Armenia 4 63 139 l l l Kyrgyzstan 5 67 149 l l l Russia 6 83 176 l l l Tajikistan 83 176 l l Kazakhstan 8 84 181 l l l Azerbaijan 9 89 189 l l l Belarus 10 91 192 l l l Crimea* 11 94 195 l l Uzbekistan 12 95 197 l l l Turkmenistan 13 96 198 l l

Middle East and North Africa l – Free l – Partly Free l – Not Free Status Global Freedom of the Freedom in the Freedom on Country Rank Score Rank Press 2016 World 2016 the Net 2015 Israel 1 32 65 l F l Tunisia 2 52 110 l l l Lebanon 3 56 119 l l l Kuwait 4 59 130 l l Algeria 5 62 136 l l Jordan 6 66 145 l l l Morocco 66 145 l l l Qatar 8 69 154 l l Iraq 9 71 156 l l Oman 71 156 l l Libya 11 75 164 l l l Egypt 12 77 167 l l l United Arab Emirates 13 78 169 l l l West Bank and Gaza Strip* 14 83 176 l l Yemen 83 176 l l Saudi Arabia 16 86 185 l l l Bahrain 17 87 186 l l l Iran 18 90 190 l l l Syria 90 190 l l l

DF – indicate improvements or declines in press freedom status *Denotes territories NOTE: The ratings reflect global developments from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015.

24 Freedom House

Europe l – Free l – Partly Free l – Not Free Status Global Freedom of the Freedom in the Freedom on Country Rank Score Rank Press 2016 World 2016 the Net 2015 Norway 1 9 1 l l Belgium 2 11 2 l l Finland 11 2 l l Netherlands 11 2 l l Sweden 11 2 l l Denmark 6 12 6 l l Andorra 7 13 7 l l Luxembourg 13 7 l l Switzerland 13 7 l l Liechtenstein 10 14 10 l l Iceland 11 15 11 l l l Monaco 15 11 l l Estonia 13 16 15 l l l San Marino 16 15 l l Ireland 15 17 17 l l Portugal 16 18 21 l l Germany 17 20 25 l l l Czech Republic 18 21 28 l l Austria 19 23 33 l l Lithuania 23 33 l l Malta 23 33 l l Slovenia 23 33 l l Cyprus 23 24 38 l l Slovakia 24 38 l l United Kingdom 25 25 41 l l l France 26 28 51 l l l Latvia 28 51 l l Poland 28 51 l l Spain 28 51 l l Italy 30 31 63 l l l Romania 31 38 74 l l Bulgaria 32 40 78 l l Hungary 40 78 l l l Montenegro 34 41 80 l l Croatia 35 42 84 l l Serbia 36 45 87 l l Greece 37 48 94 l l Kosovo 38 49 96 l l Bosnia and Herzegovina 39 50 104 l l Albania 40 51 106 l l Macedonia 41 62 136 l F l Turkey 42 71 156 l l l

www.freedomhouse.org 25 Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

Sub-Saharan Africa l – Free l – Partly Free l – Not Free Status Global Freedom of the Freedom in the Freedom on Country Rank Score Rank Press 2016 World 2016 the Net 2015 Cape Verde 1 27 47 l l São Tomé and Príncipe 2 28 51 l l Mauritius 3 29 57 l l Ghana 4 31 63 l F l Namibia 5 33 66 l l South Africa 6 36 70 l l l Mali 7 37 72 l l Benin 8 38 74 l l Burkina Faso 9 41 80 l l Botswana 10 45 87 l l Malawi 45 87 l l l Mozambique 12 46 90 l l Comoros 13 49 96 l l Lesotho 49 96 l l Senegal 49 96 l l Seychelles 49 96 l l CÔte d'Ivoire 17 51 106 l l Mauritania 51 106 l l Nigeria 51 106 l l l Niger 20 53 112 l l Sierra Leone 53 112 l l Somaliland* 22 54 115 l l Tanzania 23 55 118 l l Uganda 24 57 122 l l l Kenya 25 58 123 l l l Liberia 58 123 l l Madagascar 58 123 l l Congo (Brazzaville) 28 59 130 l l Guinea-Bissau 29 60 132 l l Togo 60 132 l D l Zambia 31 61 134 l l l Cameroon 32 65 143 l l Guinea 65 143 l l South Sudan 34 66 145 l l Gabon 35 68 153 l l Angola 36 71 156 l l l Central African Republic 71 156 l l Chad 38 74 162 l l Zimbabwe 74 162 l l l Djibouti 40 75 164 l l Congo (Kinshasa) 41 78 169 l l Rwanda 42 79 171 l l l Somalia 79 171 l l Burundi 44 80 173 l l Swaziland 45 82 175 l l Ethiopia 46 83 176 l l l Sudan 47 85 183 l l l The Gambia 48 87 186 l l l Equatorial Guinea 49 91 192 l l Eritrea 50 94 195 l l DF – indicate improvements or declines in press freedom status *Denotes territories NOTE: The ratings reflect global developments from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015.

26 Freedom House

Methodology

The 2016 edition of Freedom of the Press, which provides Expression Exchange (IFEX) network for providing detailed analytical reports and numerical scores for 199 countries and timely analyses of press freedom violations in a variety and territories, continues a process conducted by Freedom of countries worldwide. House since 1980. Each country and territory is given a total press freedom score from 0 (best) to 100 (worst) on the basis The scores are reviewed individually and on a compara- of 23 methodology questions divided into three subcatego- tive basis in a series of seven regional meetings involving ries. The total score determines the status designation of analysts, a team of senior academic advisers, and Freedom Free, Partly Free, or Not Free. The scores and reports included House staff. These reviews are followed by cross-regional in Freedom of the Press 2016 cover events that took place assessments in which an effort is made to ensure compara- between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015. bility and consistency in the findings across the world.

Criteria Methodology Freedom House assesses media freedom using common Through the years, we have refined and expanded our criteria for all settings, in poor and rich countries as well as methodology. Recent modifications have aimed to cap- in countries of varying ethnic, religious, and cultural back- ture changes in the news and information environment grounds. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human without altering the comparability of data since the project’s Rights states: inception. For example, the methodology was modified to incorporate the role of digital media. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opin- The level of press freedom in each country and territory is ions without interference and to seek, receive, and evaluated through 23 methodology questions divided into impart information and ideas through any media three broad categories: the legal environment, the politi- regardless of frontiers. cal environment, and the economic environment. For each methodology question, a lower number of points is allotted All states, from the most democratic to the most authoritar- for a more free situation, while a higher number of points is ian, are committed to this doctrine through the UN system; allotted for a less free environment. A country or territory’s to deny it is to deny the universality of basic human rights. final score (from 0 to 100) represents the total of the points While cultural distinctions or economic underdevelopment allotted for each question. A total score of 0 to 30 results in may affect the character or volume of news flows within a a press freedom status of Free; 31 to 60 results in a status of country or territory, these and other differences are not ac- Partly Free; and 61 to 100 indicates a status of Not Free. ceptable explanations for infringements such as centralized control of the content of news and information. The diverse nature of the methodology questions seeks to address the varied ways in which pressure can be placed on Research and Scoring Process the flow of information and the ability of print, broadcast, and Freedom of the Press findings are determined through a digital media to operate freely and without threat of reper- multilayered process of analysis and evaluation by a team of cussions. In short, we seek to provide a picture of the entire regional experts and scholars. With its successive stages of “enabling environment” in which the media operate. We also coding and review, the process emphasizes intellectual rigor assess the diversity of the news and information available to and aims for consistent and unbiased judgments. the public in any given country or territory, from either local or transnational sources. In general, Freedom of the Press The research and scoring process involves nearly 90 ana- is focused on the ability to provide and access news and lysts—primarily external consultants—who draft the scores information. It generally pertains to journalists and formal and country/territory reports. Analysts gather information news outlets, whether print, broadcast, or online, but also from field research, professional contacts, reports from local includes less formal sources—such as blogs, social media, and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and text-messaging services—when they serve as de facto reports of governments and multilateral bodies, and domes- news providers. tic and international news media. We would particularly like to thank the other members of the International Freedom of The legal environment category encompasses an examina-

www.freedomhouse.org 27 Press Freedom in 2015: The Battle for the Dominant Message

tion of both the laws and regulations that could influence me- 6. Can individuals or business entities legally establish and dia content, and the extent to which they are used in practice operate private media outlets without undue interfer- to enable or restrict the media’s ability to operate. We assess ence? (0–4 points) the positive impact of legal and constitutional guarantees 7. Are media regulatory bodies, such as a broadcasting au- for freedom of expression; the potentially negative aspects thority or national press or communications council, able of security legislation, the penal code, and other statutes; to operate freely and independently? (0–2 points) penalties for libel and defamation; the existence of and ability 8. Is there freedom to become a journalist and to practice to use freedom of information legislation; the independence journalism, and can professional groups freely support of the judiciary and official regulatory bodies; registration journalists’ rights and interests? (0–4 points) requirements for both media outlets and journalists; and the ability of journalists’ organizations to operate freely. POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT (0–40 POINTS) 1. To what extent are media outlets’ news and information Under the political environment category, we evaluate the content determined by the government or a particular degree of political influence in the content of news media. partisan interest? (0–10 points) Issues examined include the editorial independence of both 2. Is access to official or unofficial sources generally con- state-owned and privately owned outlets; access to informa- trolled? (0–2 points) tion and sources; official censorship and self-censorship; 3. Is there official or unofficial censorship?(0–4 points) the vibrancy of the media and the diversity of news available 4. Do journalists practice self-censorship? (0–4 points) within each country or territory; the ability of both foreign 5. Do people have access to media coverage and a range of and local reporters to cover the news in person without news and information that is robust and reflects a diver- obstacles or harassment; and reprisals against journalists sity of viewpoints? (0–4 points) or bloggers by the state or other actors, including arbitrary 6. Are both local and foreign journalists able to cover the detention, violent assaults, and other forms of intimidation. news freely and safely in terms of physical access and on- the-ground reporting? (0–6 points) Our third category examines the economic environment for 7. Are journalists, bloggers, or media outlets subject to the media. This includes the structure of media ownership; extralegal intimidation or physical violence by state au- transparency and concentration of ownership; the costs thorities or any other actor as a result of their reporting? of establishing media as well as any impediments to news (0–10 points) production and distribution; the selective withholding of advertising or subsidies by the state or other actors; the ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT (0–30 POINTS) impact of corruption and bribery on content; and the extent 1. To what extent are media owned or controlled by the gov- to which the economic situation in a country or territory af- ernment and does this influence their diversity of views? fects the development and sustainability of the media. (0–6 points) 2. Is media ownership transparent, thus allowing consumers Methodology Questions 2015 to judge the impartiality of the news? (0–3 points) 3. Is media ownership highly concentrated and does this LEGAL ENVIRONMENT (0–30 POINTS) influence diversity of content?(0–3 points) 1. Do the constitution or other basic laws contain provisions 4. Are there restrictions on the means of news production designed to protect freedom of the press and of expres- and distribution? (0–4 points) sion, and are they enforced? (0–6 points) 5. Are there high costs associated with the establishment 2. Do the penal code, security laws, or any other laws restrict and operation of media outlets? (0–4 points) reporting and are journalists or bloggers punished under 6. Do the state or other actors try to control the media these laws? (0–6 points) through allocation of advertising or subsidies? 3. Are there penalties for libeling officials or the state and (0–3 points) are they enforced? (0–3 points) 7. Do journalists, bloggers, or media outlets receive payment 4. Is the judiciary independent and do courts judge cases from private or public sources whose design is to influ- concerning the media impartially? (0–3 points) ence their journalistic content? (0–3 points) 5. Is Freedom of Information legislation in place, and are 8. Does the overall economic situation negatively impact journalists able to make use of it? (0–2 points) media outlets’ financial sustainability?(0–4 points)

Note: Under each question, a lower number of points is allotted for a more free situation, while a higher number of points is allotted for a less free environment. A complete list of the subquestions used to make the assessments can be found online at https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press-2016/methodology.

28 Freedom House

Notes

www.freedomhouse.org 29 Freedom House is a nonprofit, 1850 M Street NW, 11th Floor www.freedomhouse.org nonpartisan organization that Washington, DC 20036 facebook.com/FreedomHouseDC supports democratic change, @freedomHouseDC monitors freedom, and advocates 120 Wall Street, 26th Floor for democracy and human rights. New York, NY 10005 202.296.5101 | [email protected]